Newborn Network

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Our Mission

Newborn Network's Mission

Newborn Network’s mission is for parents to be the best parents they can be. Our two main goals are to enhance parent-to-parent networking, as well as assist parents in advancing their child’s development.

services

Our goal through parent and baby group connection meetups is to provide weekly education, networking and friendship building opportunities for families. These meetings are held at a variety of locations throughout the county.
Download the information sheet (PDF) here

Steamboat Baby Group
A weekly education and networking group for parents/caregivers and their child aged newborn to 12 months.

Tuesdays 11:00AM - 12:30PM
Family Development Center
2875 Village Drive, Steamboat Springs

Download Steamboat Group Connections Calendar (PDF)

 

Have you attended a Steamboat Group Connection? We'd love to hear your feedback!
Click here to tell us your thoughts!

Play and Learn is a twice weekly, no-cost, adult-child activity session offered in Oak Creek and Hayden where parents/caregivers engage their children in fun learning activities such as reading, singing, art, pretend play, and movement activities.

Any family with children birth to 36 months is eligible to join. All planned activities are based on the developmental stages of the participating children. During sessions, parents/caregivers and children are supported by a trained facilitator and each session will be a combination of parenting education, child/caregiver activities, and networking opportunities with other families with young children.

These sessions are not limited to parents and their children! Grandparents, aunts, foster families, friend and neighbor caregivers, or anyone who cares for children in this age range (birth to 3 years) are invited.

 

“You have been such a wealth of information for me and the girls & I had such a good time coming to Play and Learn. Thank you so much for offering such an awesome program – I know that I found you & the program at a time when we needed it the most. I have seen my daughter change for the better with all of the socialization.” (Play and Learn mother)

"We are truly grateful for you and all you do!  Thank you so much for being a kind, patient, knowledgeable teacher, and friend. I am so appreciative of your time and for helping my son learn some important tools to get him school ready!"

 

South Routt Play and Learn                                                         Hayden Play and Learn

Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM                                 Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
South Routt Community Center                                                     The Hayden Center
227 Dodge Ave, Oak Creek, CO                                                       495 W Jefferson Ave, Hayden, CO

 

For More Information
Call 970-879-0977 x 1 if you have any questions or reach out via our contact form

We highly recommend you join our mailing list or follow our Instagram so that you can be notified of last-minute updates.

Have you attended a Play and Learn session? We'd love to hear your feedback!
Click here to tell us your thoughts!

Parents as Teachers is a home visitation and parent education program. This individualized home visit is intended to provide families with child development and parenting information. It is available to all families in Routt County who are expecting a child or have a child less than 36 months of age. 

The Parents as Teachers Program is founded on the belief that all parents are their child's first (and best) teacher. Parents as Teachers includes four components that all affiliate programs are required to provide:

  • One-on-one personal (or home) visits
  • Group connections
  • Health and developmental screenings for children
  • A resource network for families

“I find the learning activities my Parent Educator shows me to be fun while giving me something to look forward to doing with my child.” (Newborn Network PAT mom)

“PAT has been a great resource for our new family and helped us learn about developmental goals and our child’s needs.” (Steamboat dad of a 6-month-old)

To schedule a visit:

Parents As Teachers
Learn more about this evidence-based home visiting model. https://parentsasteachers.org/ 

Vroom
Boost your child's learning with Vroom's fast and fun tips with an app and brain-building ideas based upon your child’s age. https://www.vroom.org 

Bright by Text
Sign-up for Bright by Text. Bright by Text sends free learning games, parenting tips, and resources right to the cell phones of parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to 5 years old. https://brightbythree.org/ 

Zero to Three
Zero to Three has a wealth of information for parents of babies and toddlers. Articles include topics from positive parenting approaches to sleep to play to grandparents, and so much more. https://www.zerotothree.org

Healthy Children
The American Academy Parenting Website. Powered by Pediatricians. Trusted by Parents. Access to articles about Child Development to Family Life and everything in between. https://healthychildren.org/ 

Colorado Peak
Use PEAK to apply for or manage your medical, SNAP, cash or other State of Colorado benefits. https://peak.my.site.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US

Northwest Colorado Health
Programs for Moms and Families. They offer a spectrum of programs designed to help ensure pregnant women, mothers, children, and families have the best chance at healthy, safe, and successful futures. https://northwestcoloradohealth.org/what_we_do/prevention-services/programs-for-moms-and-families/ 

UC Health – Yampa Valley Medical Center Birth Center
Information about birthing options, birth center tours, child birth education classes, and lactation consultants. https://www.uchealth.org/locations/uchealth-birth-center-yampa-valley-medical-center-steamboat-springs/ 

What is Newborn Network? 

  • Newborn Network is a parent education system that serves families living in Routt County who are pregnant or have children less than 36 months of age. We offer a menu of parent education and community group connection opportunities throughout Routt County.

Why use the Newborn Network? 

To give your infant a healthy start...because babies don't come with "instructions for proper care and handling."

How do I learn more about Newborn Network and its FREE services? 

Call 970-879-0977 x 1 for more information and to schedule an appointment. You can also ask us any questions via our contact form.

Am I obligated to participate in all the Newborn Network activities?

Absolutely not!  You choose which will work best for your family.

How do I find out about upcoming Newborn Network events?

You can follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, or check back here for new group connections calendars each month!

Newborn Network services are supported by individual and corporate contributions; grants from City of Steamboat Springs, Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, Parent Possible, Routt County, Routt County United Way,  Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation and Yampa Valley Community Foundation.

sharon

Sharon Butler

Newborn Network Program Manager and Parent Educator

newborn@familydevelopmentcenter.org

Sharon Butler is the program manager for the Child Care Network and Newborn Network. Sharon has taught as a family childcare provider, an infant nursery supervisor, and a preschool teacher. She’s a CDE infant/toddler specialist, a credentialed coach, and is a certified Parents as Teachers parent educator and supervisor. She was an adjunct faculty member in Early Childhood for Colorado Mountain College. She also provides training and professional development activities for childcare providers and technical assistance and pre-licensing hours for new providers. She has been with the Family Development Center since 1999.

Donna Starbuck bio photo

Donna Starbuck

Newborn Network Parent Educator

nnpat@familydevelopmentcenter.org

Donna started in September of 2022 with the Family Development Center and is a Parent Educator for Parents As Teachers model implementation program. Donna owned and operated a licensed childcare business from her home for the past 30 years. Donna brings decades of child development, parent education and community involvement to our team and is a valued and loved community member, and we are delighted to have her work with families throughout Routt County.

 

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Crystal Brenegan

Newborn Network Parent Facilitator Play and Learn South Routt

nnpl@familydevelopmentcenter.org

My name is Crystal Brenegan, I am so excited to be a part of the Newborn Network. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for over 20 years! I have had the honor of working at many of the preschools located here in Routt County. I am the Mother of two wonderful children who I have the privilege to homeschool. I am passionate about making sure that every educational experience that children in my care have is one that will help them learn and grow. When I am not teaching young minds, you may find me out in the wild camping with my family, at a local live music event or snowboarding out on Mt. Werner. I am looking forward to a fun filled year with South Routt Play and Learn.

 

Abby Chan

Abby Chan

Newborn Network Parent Facilitator Play and Learn Hayden

nnhayden@familydevelopmentcenter.org

Abby Chan, an educator with a decade of experience, embarked on her journey in the realm of early childhood education as both a preschool director and a devoted classroom teacher. Abby's unwavering vision revolves around equipping families with the essential tools and knowledge required to nurture their young ones into becoming well-rounded members of society, poised for success in every facet of their lives.

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